We really got lucky booking a condo on the south Texas coast during this unprecedented arctic blast that left almost nearly everywhere else in the US suffering from record or near-record cold. We had a couple of days with wind chills in the 20s, but the lowest recorded temperature was in the 32-33 range, much warmer than just about anywhere else we could be -- especially Kansas City. It has been quite windy most days, and the sun has been playing hide and seek, but the seven-day forecast is looking really good -- highs in the 60s and 70s!

We did get out on a nice bike ride along the Park Road to the Padre Island National Seashore a few days ago before the arctic blast hit. We started out in tights and jackets but quickly stripped down to shorts and short sleeves.

Barry met another cyclist while he was riding solo, and it turned out that he and his wife were staying in their 5th wheel at the RV park by the beach. They invited us to come by and see their rig and talk to them about RVing, while they picked our brains about Belize! It was great to meet some interesting folks who are also out traveling.

We've gotten out to the beach for a couple of walks, though not as many as I expected because of the biting wind. I was disappointed to discover that motor vehicles are allowed to drive on the beach here, but because of the time of year, traffic is light.

There's a small "no cars allowed" area by the pier that is probably packed on warmer weekends.

I had no idea there would be waves like this on the Gulf!

We found an inexpensive, authentic Mexican restaurant within walking distance of where we're staying right here on the island. Excellente!

We've also been enjoying the closest, huge grocery store, H.E.B. Plus. Prices are great, and there are a lot of organic and healthy choices.

We're looking forward to heading to some of the many birding hotspots in the area -- just waiting on warmer, dryer, and less windy weather. Looks like that will be coming along very soon, so stay tuned!

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Emily & Barry

We're a long-married, early-retired couple who are currently traveling as nomads with no fixed home base. After years of living in North Carolina (Emily's home state), we spent 18 months living oceanfront on Ambergris Caye, Belize, a year road-tripping the US in a Honda CR-V, a year in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, and are now roaming North America in our 32' motorhome, Pearl, following warm weather whenever possible.